Dermatology Times, Nov 1, 2009

News

EHR shopping: Tips to help you find the best system for your practice

By John Jesitus

For dermatologists considering an EHR purchase, experts offer the following tips:

Evaluating EHRs: Cost, frustration temper advantages of electronic health record systems

By John Jesitus

With the Obama administration's 2014 goal for national electronic medical record (EMR) adoption looming, dermatologists who have taken the plunge say the systems carry hefty costs and require steep learning curves.

CertifyingEHR: AAD takes lead on dermatology-specific criteria

By John Jesitus

Because commercially available EHR systems have largely ignored the needs of dermatology practices, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has taken a lead role in the creation of dermatology-specific EHR certification criteria, sources say.

Virus a culprit? Merkel cell pathogen linked to up to a third of SCC tumors

By Bob Roehr

The Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), first identified in rare aggressive Merkel cell carcinoma in 2008, has now been isolated in up to a third of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), according to a new study published online in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

Column

Cyber reality: Online forums can compromise a physician's reputation

Dr. Marketing is horrified by the notion that anybody can say anything on the Web. He seeks legal help. What can he do to stop such behavior?

Spelling relief: Advocates of medical malpractice reform urge action now

By Bob Gatty

As the healthcare reform debate unfolds, most of the headlines have focused on whether there would be a "public option" and, to a lesser extent, how the various proposals would affect Medicare, including patients and providers.

The politics of healthcare reform

By Ronald G. Wheeland, M.D.

Even if one accepts that healthcare costs are rising at an unsustainable rate, why is there such a current rush to find the "magic" solution to the problem, when it is such an important issue? I believe the one-word answer to this question is this — politics.

Crash course: Seasoned derms offer 'newbies' advice on the business side of medicine

By Karen Nash

Are dermatologists coming out of residencies prepared for dealing with the challenges of running a practice? We asked dermatologists around the country if they think young physicians are prepared to make business decisions.

Practice Management

Payer contracting: Learn effective ways to tip the scales in favor of your practice

By Elizabeth W. Woodcock, M.B.A., F.A.C.M.P.E., C.P.C.

Looking for ways to reverse your dermatology practice's declining reimbursements, but don't know where to start? Try going to the source, or rather, sources — the terms of your payer contracts, that is. This article suggests some key items to seek in your next contract.

Cost of living: Plan financial future with long-term inflation in mind

By William J. Lynott

Political considerations aside, President Obama's fiscal policies are likely to serve eventually as a stimulant to growth in our economy. That's why I believe that it's time to take the likelihood of long-term inflation into account as you plan your financial future.

Group practice pitfalls: New financial threats demand more protection for your wealth

By Jason M. O'Dell, C.W.M. , David B. Mandell, JD, MB

If you think medicine is a difficult business today, you are about to face your largest financial challenge ever. There is an approaching confluence of events that could have a significant financial impact on most doctors, unless you do something to protect yourself.

Metabolic Syndrome

Cutaneous clues: Specific dermatologic conditions can aid in diagnosis of metabolic syndrome

By Ilya Petrou, M.D.

Cutaneous manifestations of metabolic syndrome aid dermatologists in appropriate diagnosis.

Cosmetic Dermatology

Fighting alopecia: Hair loss demands systematic approach, simple tools

By John Jesitus

When addressing hair loss, a systematic approach can minimize frustrations for physicians and patients alike.

Embracing diversity: New skin type system addresses procedures for treating skin of color

By John Jesitus

As the presence and diversity of ethnic skin of color (SOC) continue to grow worldwide, an expert says a more comprehensive skin-type classification system will help dermatologists predict these patients' response to dermatologic procedures.

Female hair loss: Low-level laser therapy effective for female pattern hair loss

By Louise Gagnon

Low-level laser therapy for female pattern hair loss is safe and effective, one expert says.

Injectable complications: Biofilm phenomenon is among major safety concerns

By Rochelle Nataloni

As the popularity and options for injectable fillers increase, so does the need for awareness and prevention of complications.

Ethnic patients: Treatment of global skin requires combination strategies, caution

By John Jesitus

Treating ethnic patients requires special considerations and sensitivity.

Lip reconstruction: Larger wounds may require two-stage transposition procedure

By Rochelle Nataloni

Island pedicle flaps and advancement flaps are the mainstay of lip reconstructive surgery, but some wounds will still need something more inventive.

Mechanism' therapy: Reversing the effects of environmental, genetic factors in aging skin

The mechanisms that contribute to aging skin are gaining greater understanding throughout the medical field.

Tears of joy: Novel onion extract cream offers protection from sun's rays

By Louise Gagnon

Use of onion extract cream to treat post-surgical scars improves the appearance of scars after surgery.

Greek to me: Pomegranate extracts popular in mythology, nutricosmetics

The science behind pomegranate extract in topicals and genomics in developing cosmeceuticals

Cutaneous Oncology

Exercising caution: Follicular melanoma remains unknown, poorly characterized

By Ilya Petrou, M.D.

Folliculotropic melanoma demands timely action, as little is known about the disease's potential aggressiveness.

Protecting hair: Novel formulation halts chemotherapy-induced alopecia

By Ilya Petrou, M.D.

A novel approach that involves using a special formulation of calcitriol proves to impart protection against chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

Recognizing DM: Desmoplastic melanoma frequently misdiagnosed

By John Jesitus

Because desmoplastic melanoma lacks a definitive clinical presentation, dermatologists often misdiagnose the disease.

Slow motion: Mohs surgeons tackle difficult-to-demarcate melanomas

By Rebecca Bryant

One Mohs surgeon is successfully using the "slow Mohs" technique to treat rare melanomas that are large, invasive and amelanotic.

Physician's profile

Physician's profile: Dermatologist, professor earns respect for innovative research

By Lisette Hilton

Earlier this year, 200 colleagues attended a surprise 75th birthday dinner for Martin C. Mihm Jr., M.D. The fact that colleagues from around the world gathered to celebrate his birthday is no surprise.

Clinical Dermatology

Hand eczema: Oral alitretinoin can clear difficult-to-treat cases

By Ilya Petrou, M.D.

According to new data, oral alitretinoin can clear severe chronic hand eczema.

Curbing recurrences: Combination treatments help patients with recurrent genital herpes

By Ilya Petrou, M.D.

Recurrent genital herpes infections can be challenging to treat, and patients' quality of life decreases as frequency of relapses increases.

The future is now: Nanotechnology creates promising new tretinoin formulation

By Cheryl Guttman

A topical gel containing tretinoin nanoparticles is proving as effective as available tretinoin products.

Going molecular: Translational research brings basic science to bedside

By John Jesitus